Does Coffee Affect Myasthenia Gravis?
There are no scientific studies providing information on whether coffee drinking or coffee consumption affects myasthenia gravis.
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. Coffee, in general, is linked with many benefits.
What Is Myasthenia Gravis?
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a long-term autoimmune condition affecting the peripheral nervous system [1].
It is characterized by fluctuating skeletal muscle weakness, fatigue, and potentially even respiratory difficulties [2].
MG is caused by antibodies directed towards proteins (like AchR, MuSK, or rapsyn), which are concentrated at the neuromuscular junction and disrupt the normal communication between nerve cells and muscles [3, 4].
It is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction, which means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues [5].
MG can affect people at any age, however, it is more prevalent in young women or older individuals [5].
The prevalence of MG ranges between 150 to 200 cases per million [3].
There are different clinical manifestations of MG such as difficulty walking, droopy eyelids, or double vision, but the core one is muscle weakness. That may affect ocular, bulbar, respiratory, or limb muscles [3] and worsen with the use of the muscles [1].
Although MG is a serious condition, patients suffering from it can be treated effectively and the condition can be managed well [6].
Is Coffee Drinking Beneficial For Patients Suffering From Myasthenia Gravis?
Although there are no direct studies on how and whether coffee drinking is beneficial for patients with myasthenia gravis, we can explore studies indirectly linking MG and coffee.
Caffeine, contained in coffee, is known to affect neuromuscular function. In MG patients, muscle weakness is primarily due to failure of neuromuscular transmission.
Coffee has been associated with various health benefits that could potentially influence and translate to MG.
For example, consumption of coffee has been linked to a reduction in the risk of multiple sclerosis [7]. The link with myasthenia gravis is that multiple sclerosis likewise affects the nervous system.
In Parkinson's disease, which is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the nervous system, coffee consumption has been associated with lower tremor scores [8] and reduced severity of non-motor symptoms [9].
That said, consumption of coffee has been associated with musculoskeletal pain and lack of sleep in some individuals [10]. This could potentially worsen the symptoms of MG.
Please note that these are just examples of studies that do not directly link to MG, but can provide slight insights. Research needs to be conducted to definitely conclude whether coffee consumption is beneficial for patients with MG.
However, it is crucial for patients with myasthenia gravis to consult with their medical provider about their intention to make significant changes to their coffee consumption.
What are the effects of coffee on myasthenia gravis?
Currently, there is no direct scientific evidence linking this autoimmune disease with coffee consumption. However, we can consider studies investigating the effects of drinking coffee on the immune and nervous systems, as both are affected in MG.
For example, one study found that coffee can stimulate higher activation in both axon reflex and directly activated sweat responses. This finding may suggest that coffee can enhance the sympathetic response to acetylcholine which is a key neurotransmitter involved in muscle activation [11]. In fact, the Acetylcholine receptor is affected by autoantibodies in MG causing problems at the neuromuscular junction.
As mentioned previously, coffee consumption is associated with positive effects on diseases of the nervous system like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease [9, 7, 8]. In particular, it has been attributed to the neuroprotective properties of caffeine, which has the ability to suppress proinflammatory cytokines. Such an anti-inflammatory effect could also be beneficial in the context of MG.
However, it's important to note that these potential effects are speculative and based on the effects of coffee on related systems and conditions. More research is needed to determine the specific effects of coffee on myasthenia gravis.